Been taking Effexor XR for several years - should my doctor order lab studies?

Since I have been taking it I have gain 60 pounds I did only weigh 110 pounds now I weigh 165 pounds. Also I have strange dreams every night and I wake up nearly 4 to 5 times a night. Also I have problems with bladder control and I have just read that this could be a symtom. Please advise

Responses (2)

Since Ive been taking Effexor for about a year I went from 165 which Ive been for the past 15 years to 190-195. I never ever gain weight other than like 5 or so lbs but this med has definitely made me gain it. Other than that, it works excellent for me and I have no other side effects so Id hate to have to stop taking it. It works a lot better than Prozac did for me which was my second best working anti dep med. If my weight stays where it is, Ill stay on it but if it keeps going up, unfortunately Ill have to find something else. But Im not really sure what else to try. I need something for sure and I assume Pristiq would do the same thing and Welbutrin and Paxil didnt work for me. If anyone has any ideas Id love to hear them. Sorry, not trying to hijak your thread, hopefully you can use any info thats posted as well.

I know you said Wellbutrin didn't work for you as an antidepressant, but have you tried to take it to stave off some of the side effects of Effexor? I'm on Effexor XR and I take Wellbutrin to help control my apetite and to increase sex drive. It really doesn't help me as far as being depressed, but it does help with the side effects. I haven't gained any weight (besides the usual give or take 5 lbs). Just a thought. Good luck!

Whenever you have been on a certain medication for years, regardless of what it is, you should always have periodic check ups and blood work done. Especially when new symptoms develop. I hope you can sleep better soon. And please have a check up with your doctor.Best wishes,chris